Ingham court: Hinchinbrook flood disaster survivor on police evasion charge

A high-profile survivor of the Hinchinbrook flood disaster has been hit with a jaw-dropping punishment on a more recent police-evasion charge.

Jonty Zachary Dean-Brown outside the Ingham Magistrates Court on Thursday. Picture: Cameron Bates

A high-profile survivor of the Hinchinbrook flood disaster who made a recent “stupid” decision to resist police attempts to pull him over has been smacked over the head with a jaw-dropping fine and substantial driving ban.

Jonty Zachary Dean-Brown made headlines in February after he was rescued along with his wife and newborn baby from floodwaters by a local floody legend.

On Thursday, he was making headlines for the wrong reasons after pleading guilty in the Ingham Magistrates Court to driving through a red traffic arrow and evading police on May 8.

Acting Magistrate Rhiannan Lee urged Dean-Brown to seek legal representation given the “serious” nature of the charges and minimum-mandatory legal repercussions.

Dean-Brown, a former commercial fisherman, said he had not received any legal advice and was “happy to represent myself”.

“You know that there is a mandatory sentencing that applies,” Magistrate Lee said.

“Yes, Your Honour,” he replied.

“You are aware of the significant fine that will be imposed upon a guilty plea otherwise the other option is 50 days imprisonment, are you aware of that?”

“Yes, Your Honour.”

“And you’re aware of the significant disqualification period that attaches to that?”

“Yes, Your Honour ... I’ll just deal with it today.”

Jonty Zachary Dean-Brown outside the Ingham Magistrates Court on Thursday. Picture: Cameron Bates

Prosecutor Kimberley Rogers-Ford said a police patrol pulled in behind Dean-Brown’s vehicle on Townsville Road in the Ingham CBD about 8.40pm and activated their lights.

She said the defendant failed to stop, running the red traffic signal and turning into McIlwraith Street.

“Police have then followed the vehicle and activated sirens with the lights still on and the defendant still failed to pull over.”

She said police pulled alongside the vehicle and confirmed Dean-Brown’s identity.

“Once beside the vehicle, police with their window down, they yelled at the driver to pull over to the side of the road (but) the driver proceeded to drive off and smile at police.”

Ms Rogers-Ford said police then terminated the ‘pursuit’.

She said Dean-Brown subsequently told police that he did not pull over because he did not have an interlock device fitted to his vehicle.

The defendant, who started a new job on Monday, had nothing to say in his defence.

An Queensland Police Service vehicle outside the Ingham Magistrates Court on Thursday. Picture: Cameron Bates

Magistrate Lee said that despite Dean-Brown’s “stupid decision-making” he did subsequently turn himself in to Ingham Police and make full admissions.

“The reason that there are such significant penalties for this offence is because of the potential outcome that can occur when people take off from police,” she said.

“It puts other road users at risk and its put police and yourself at risk.”

On the evasion charge, Dean-Brown was fined $8065 and banned from driving for two years.

He was fined an additional $645 for running the red light.

Convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Ingham court: Hinchinbrook flood disaster survivor on police evasion charge